Handbrake cable

[Greenbay packer]

Hi, Are both sides of the handbrake cable on the 2.5 V6 estate the same length? If one side is slightly longer which side of the car does it go on? Thanks.

[TheBoy]

Only ever done saloons, and never noticed any different in lengths.  Not checked, but would have expected the saloon and estate to use the same handbrake cable?

[Doctor Gollum]

The calipers are in the same position relative to the lever so they should be the same.

However, unless it's snapped, then adjustment might be a better solution.

[Greenbay packer]

Thanks, clutching at straws really as I've had problems adjusting the handbrake leading to one failed MOT and only just passing the retest. The passenger side always adjusts ok and locks off on the rolling road but the OS is a problem and won't lock off. Its been like this ever since a new cable was fitted a few years back and no matter how careful I am with adjusting it the drivers side cable always seems a bit looser than the near side. I always go through the correct adjustment procedure slackening off the adjuster nut under the handbrake, etc, and the cables are correctly routed with no tight spots or indications of corrosion at the place where these normally snap. Under the car the compensator bar never seems to sit quite square and even here it feels that one side of the cable is looser than the other which is why I was wondering if the cables were slightly different lengths and had been fitted the wrong way round (though I've fitted these cables before and never worried about which way they were fitted and have had no issues so I didn't really think this was the answer). The drums are fine and the brake shoes are fine so I'm at a loss really. If the cables being different lengths could cause adjustment problems I'm wondering if the one fitted was faulty from the start - it was brand new when it was fitted and I've had problems since then, otherwise I'd be wondering if one side has simply stretched more than the other. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

[YZ250]

I take it that you are releasing the handbrake and then adjusting the star wheel inside each hub first before adjusting the cable. If one hub star wheel is set slacker than the other you can pull the handbrake on with all your might and one hub still won't lock up.
Apologies if you are already setting it this way, just wanted to make sure before offering any further advice. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Mark DTM did a really thorough guide on setting up the handbrake properly 

[Greenbay packer]

I take it that you are releasing the handbrake and then adjusting the star wheel inside each hub first before adjusting the cable. If one hub star wheel is set slacker than the other you can pull the handbrake on with all your might and one hub still won't lock up.
Apologies if you are already setting it this way, just wanted to make sure before offering any further advice. 

Yes, that's the way I do it. Thanks.

[Greenbay packer]

Mark DTM did a really thorough guide on setting up the handbrake properly 

I've seen the guide and that's exactly the way I adjust it, but it doesn't help with my current issue. I've changed several cables over the years and have always adjusted as in the guide but never had any issues until now.

[cam.in.head]

from what i can remember last time i fitted one the lengths are indeed different each side. either on the actual cable itself or the outer sheath.
the fact that the adjuster saddle isnt sitting square indicates a problem
either..
the cable is indeed handed and is the wrong war round.
the handbrake mechanism is wrongly adjusted or faulty otherwise.
the outer cable retainers are pulling through the eyes.this is a very common issue .the eyes are only a curl of metal rather than a solid ring.

[Doctor Gollum]

Slacken the star on other side three whole turns then adjust the difficult side. Then go back and adjust the working side.

Overadjusting one side will have the effect of restricting adjustment on the other side.

[cam.in.head]

and also to be completely sure make sure the return springs are present at each lever and the levers when adjusted are in the same relative place.

[dave the builder]

I've not replaced a cable on my omega (done many carlton ones, same cable), but on astra ,one side outer cable is slightly longer

[Nick W]

When I replaced the snapped cable on my estate, I had to bend the outer cable retaining rings back into shape/alignment. Then it was just a matter of adjusting it correctly - slacken cable, adjust the brake shoes and then the cable. That would have been a lot easier if the designers weren't German, and fitted the compensator inside the car.

[TheBoy]

Also, it one side isn't working, strip the handbrake mechanism inside the drum and clean it up.

That was an annual issue on my beloved Silver Bullet for some reason, never an issue on any of my other Omegas.

[Greenbay packer]

and also to be completely sure make sure the return springs are present at each lever and the levers when adjusted are in the same relative place.

Both are present, relatively new and seem to be in the same relative place.